by Susan Branson

Created on: July 11, 2009

"Let's go on a golf cart ride, Daddy", exclaimed Jenna as she threw open the front door to the house.

"Simmer down, little one, we'll go very soon", said Dad "Let me get my binoculars, and snake stick just in case we spot some interesting creatures".

Jenna and her dad were two peas in a pod. Jenna loved the outdoors just like her dad and was always looking for an adventure.

Golf cart riding was a super fun time for both. In Florida, where Jenna lives there are a plethora of different animals to be encountered, and Jenna had one specific animal she adored....the gopher tortoise!

As Jenna and her dad were riding the golf cart over the sandy road they heard a shuffle in the wire grass.

"What could that be?" exclaimed Dad

"I bet it's him dad", stated Jenna "You think?" said Dad.

From behind the bush, Jenna and Dad heard a slow breathing sound. As the breathing sound became louder they saw the head of a huge gopher tortoise pop out!

"It's him dad, it's him!" triumphed Jenna. "It's Tommy the tortoise!"

Tommy the gopher tortoise was a very special tortoise. He could talk!

"Well hello there Jenna", stated Tommy. "I am so glad to see you this afternoon".

"Would you like to go on an adventure with me today?" asked Tommy.

"Oh Daddy, please, please can I go today?", asked Jenna "Well, of course, you can Jenna", stated Dad "Just be home before dinner."

Jenna gleefully hopped right onto Tommy's back, for his shell was very strong, and off they went on their adventure!

The first place they went was Jenny Branch creek to see some of Tommy's friends. At the creek, they encountered Finius the frog, Sandy the snapping turtle and Randall the water snake.

"Good afternoon", shouted Jenna to all her animal friends. "Good afternoon", they exclaimed back.

"Tommy here is taking me on an adventure today", Jenna proudly stated "What are you guys up to?" Jenna continued.

"Well Finius and I are speaking with Randall here about why he feels the need to eat all the water bugs before we can have any at all!" exclaimed Sandy "He seems to slither around and sneak up on them and gobble them all down before we can even catch one!"

"Oh my goodness, Randall" said Jenna. "Have you ever thought about sharing with your friends?" she questioned.

"Well, pshshpsh, I guess I could do that", hissed Randall

"As well you should!" croaked Finius. "I am getting tired of eating fungus and leaves!"

Jenna and Tommy sat and talked to their friends for a short time more and then decided to head back towards Jenna's house, it was getting late.

"There is one more thing I need to do before I take you home Jenna", said Tommy. Tommy made his way back to his burrow, which is his home. Tommy turned his back towards the apron of his burrow and sat.

"What in the world are you doing Tommy?" asked Jenna.

Without answering her question, Tommy walked slowly away from the burrow and low and behold there were six eggs!

Tommy had laid six eggs!

Tommy or should we say Tonya, was a female gopher tortoise and had laid six eggs! Tonya was going to have six baby gopher tortoise!

As Jenna and Tonya the tortoise made there way back down the sandy road, past the wire grass and cactus, Jenna wondered about her next adventure with the tortoise.

Jenna would have many more adventures now, and with alot more tortoise freinds very soon.

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